Modalities

There are over 200 massage and bodywork techniques. In order to help you understand these, listed below in alphabetical order are the styles most commonly used at In Balance Center for Living. Therapists will use these styles based on their intuition and the needs of each client.

As in any healing and artistic endeavor, it is best to find a therapist you feel at ease with and whom you can trust. Massage and bodywork is an intuitive art and a dance. You will have a different experience based on whom you choose. Please feel free to contact us to discuss the sessions that we offer.

Enjoy this fascinating and inspiring list of healing modalities!

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for curative and rejuvenating effects. Dating back to ancient Egypt, India, and the Far East, this simple therapy has been used for centuries to reduce stress and tension, refresh and invigorate the body, soothe emotions, and clear the mind. Oils were used in the Old Testament to increase spiritual awareness. After an initial discussion with the client, specific essential oils are used in conjunction with other appropriate techniques, such as massage, acupressure, or reflexology. Used in oils, the essential oil is absorbed through the skin and into the body to affect physiological change. When inhaled the aroma directly affects the limbic area of the brain that is related to emotions and memories.

Ayurvedic Massage

Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word which literally means "The science of long life." Ayurveda Massage is one of the branches of Ayurveda Medicine. Ayurveda Medicine aims to heal the root of the dis-ease, rather than focusing on the alleviation of symptoms. It dates back 5000 years from India and draws heavily upon nature. Its’ focus is to balance the body and bring you back into harmony with the world around you. Today, the World Health Organization recognizes Ayurveda as one of the top three medical systems in America. Ayurveda Massage focuses on balancing each individual by using specific herbs during a series of treatments. The treatments all work together to detoxify the mind and body and allow the herbs and oils to penetrate to the deepest layers. We have created an Ayurvedic treatment in line with Ayurvedic principals which includes exfoliation, massage, steam, and shirodhara, an oil treatment on the forehead designed to disarm the nervous system.

Chair Massage

When a ten or twenty minute relaxation session is needed, this is the technique for you. You are massaged fully clothed in a special chair designed to relax you. Because the chair is completely portable, you may see chair massage at the airport or health club, or you may want a practitioner to come to your office or business to massage the staff or guests at a party.

Cranial Sacral

Through the use of light touch, cranial sacral uses delicate manipulation to detect potential restrictions and imbalances in the body, as well as help alleviate discomfort from problem areas and relieve pressure on the brain the the spinal cord. As a result, you'll have a nervous system free of restrictions and a body that's able to return to it's greatest level of performance!

Deep Tissue Massage

This technique addresses specific muscles and muscle groups. The practitioners are trained to fix specific problems. It is a fundamental technique that offers fast results for both pain and stress. This form of cross fiber massage was first written about in the late 1800's in New York City. A medical doctor performing autopsies noticed that diseased areas of the body were surrounded by muscle fibers that were dehydrated and stuck together. He surmised that if one would rub across these fibers, they would release and the healthy state of muscle would be restored. This technique begins gently and progresses deeply as the outer muscle fibers relax, allowing the second and third layer of muscle to be addressed. Deep Tissue Massage is designed to reach the deep portions of thick muscles, specifically the individual muscle fibers. Using deep muscle compression and friction along the grain of the muscle, its purpose is to unstick the fibers of the muscles and release both toxins and deeply held patterns of tension.

Hot Stone Massage

Developed in the Midwest by Mary Hannigan, this technique uses smooth basalt river stones that are heated in hot water and then applied on the body with oil. The stones help to melt away tension and greatly increase relaxation of both the mind and body. Their warmth increases blood flow which in turns aids in greater healing for many systems of the body. At In Balance Center for Living, we have stones prepared for every session, however, we also have available a FULL Hot Stone session where you receive a much great use of the stones….this is not to be missed; very penetrating and relaxing. Especially great in the winter months.

Integrative Massage

Originally based on the work of Wilhelm Reich, this style of bodywork was developed at the Boulder College of Massage Therapy over 20 years ago. To assist in the release of emotional issues trapped in the body, long fluid strokes are used to move energy from the head down and out through the hands and feet. This is combined with the use of deep breathwork to aid the process.

Myofascial

Release Therapy. All muscles, arteries, bones, organs, etc. are held together by a Saran wrap kind of tissue called fascia. Developed in the late 1960's by John Barnes, Myofascial Release works by the manipulation of the fascia that connects and surrounds muscles. Because the fascia is body-wide, a tension or trauma in one part of the body can affect another part. The fascia responds to the trained touch to release the adverse effects of inflammation, tensions and trauma.

Neuromuscular Therapy

Neuromuscular Therapy is a program of recovery from acute and chronic pain syndromes by utilizing specific massage therapy, including the pressure of trigger points, to eliminate the causes of pain patterns. This approach brings about balance between the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system. It enhances the function of joints, muscles, and movement, and it releases endorphins, the body's own natural pain killers.

Ohashiatsu

Developed over 30 years ago by Ohashi in New York. Ohashi is a world renowned speaker and teacher. Ohashiatsu is similar to traditional Shiatsu but uses a gentler, less forceful approach, while still going deep. Shiatsu, the most widely known form of acupressure, literally meaning "finger pressure" in Japanese, and has been practiced for more than a thousand years in Japan. Shiatsu uses rhythmic pressure from 3 to 10 seconds on specific points along the body's meridians by using the fingers, hands, elbows, knees, and sometimes feet to unblock and stimulate the flow of energy. A session my also include gentle stretching and range-of-motions manipulations. Shiatsu is used to treat pain and illness, to relax the body, and to maintain general health.

Energy Balancing/Polarity Therapy

Developed by chiropractor and osteopath Randolph Stone, polarity therapy is a holistic method of treatment. He combined his knowledge of Ayurvedic medicine, Chinese medicine, yoga, acupuncture and shiatsu techniques to outline his system. Stone saw the body as an electromagnetic energy system with each part of the body carrying electrical-like charges. By placing hands on various parts of the body, the practitioner connects the positive and negative poles to improve the flow of energy through the body and assist healing and relaxation. To maintain well-being, diet, yoga, and self-awareness are encouraged.

Pregnancy Massage

Pregnancy places strong demands on a woman's body and is a time for the body to be nurtured and pampered. This massage not only relieves the tensions and aches caused by the extra weight and shift in the center of gravity to the body, but it reduces swelling, soothes the nervous system, acts as a tonic, reduces fatigue, and enhances energy.

Raindrop Therapy

Raindrop Therapy originated from the research of D. Gary Young and a Lakota medicine man in the 1970s. It is based on the theory that many types of spinal misalignments are caused by viruses or bacteria that lie dormant along the spine. Nine different therapeutic grade essential oils of extremely high quality are dripped onto the spine to bring the body into structural and electrical alignment, reducing inflammation and removing the viral agents responsible for it. It is most noted for helping with scoliosis. The massage technique used is very relaxing, smells incredible, and is used along the spine primarily but includes entire back. Warm moist compresses are used at the end. The oils will continue to work in the body for 5 to 7 days following treatment so it is recommended that you don't shower until the following day to get the maximum benefit. The essential oils used, because they are derived from plants and are the very life force of the plant, innately carry their own intelligence and frequency working within the intelligence and frequency of the human body.

Reflexology

Popularized in the United States by physiotherapist Eunice Inghram in the 1930s, this is an acupressure type technique performed on the hands and feet and is based on the ancient Oriental theory that meridian lines or pathways carry energy throughout the body. Because each zone or part of the body has a corresponding reflex point on the feet, stimulating that reflex point causes stimulation in the natural energy of the related organ. Crystalline-type deposits and/or tenderness indicate a dysfunction, and pressure is applied to clear out congestion and restore normal functioning and health.

Reiki

Reiki (pronounced ray-kee) in Japanese means "universal life energy." It is a healing technique of transmitting life energy by placing the hands gently in specific positions either on or above the body. This laying-on of hands is designed to relieve pain, restore vitality, heal illnesses, and aid spiritual growth. It was developed by Dr. Mikao Usua, a Christian monk in Japan, who came upon ancient manuscripts revealing the healing system in the 19th century. It was introduced to the United States in the 1930's by Hawayo Takata.

See Ohashiatsu (traditional Shiatsu and Ohashiatsu are both incorporated)

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage is now known as "traditional" massage. In the 1820s a Swedish doctor, Dr. Per Henrik Ling, developed the first modern method of massage through his study of physiology, gymnastics, and the massage techniques borrowed from China, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Swedish massage is most noted for its long gliding strokes and kneading, but also uses friction, tapping, and shaking motions. It is effective for most ailments, because massaging the skin, the body's largest organ, sets up a chain reaction that produces a positive effect on all layers and systems of the body. It affects the nerves, muscles, glands, and circulation, and promotes health and wellbeing. It is very relaxing and uses medium pressure.

Thai Massage

Thai massage is an interactive manipulation of the body using passive stretching and gentle pressure along energy lines. This ancient form of massage dates back to the time of Buddha and looks like a cross between shiastu, acupressure, and yoga. Practitioners apply pressure along meridian lines with their thumbs, hands, and feet to stimulate the movement of energy in the body, and in addition, move and stretch their clients in Yoga-like poses to free muscular and joint tension. Designed to be both relaxing and stimulating, Thai massage improves flexibility, reduces tension, stimulates internal organs, and balances the body's energy system.

Trager

Trager was developed over 55 years by Milton Trager, M.D. It is a combination of hands-on work, relaxation, and movement education. Theorizing that the body learns to be light and effortless by experiencing light and easy sensations, Trager practitioners gently cradle, jiggle, rock, and stretch the body. This is turn helps release deep-seated physical and mental patterns. It also facilitates deep relaxation, increased physical mobility, and mental clarity. While rocking, every cell in the body is innately affected and relaxed as it feels safe, tying us back to being rocked in the womb of our mother. Rocking is innate to all of us at times of deep stress.

.....Please arrive to your appointment a few minutes early to ensure you receive your full treatment.
Please note that we have a 24 hour cancellation policy.